DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of California

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Laura E. Duffy
, United States Attorney
Contact: Andrew Haden

Holtville Man Guilty of Illegally Purchasing Guns in Arizona and Selling Them in California

SAN DIEGO – A Holtville man pleaded guilty to a firearms charge in federal court today, admitting that he fraudulently obtained an Arizona identification card in order to illegally purchase at least 54 firearms in that state and illegally transport them to California.

Scott Singh Dhalliwal admitted in his plea agreement that he illegally sold many of those weapons in California. He entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford, who set sentencing for November 9, 2015.

Dhalliwal acknowledged that he claimed to live in Arizona in order to obtain an identification card there. There are fewer restrictions – such as registration requirements and waiting periods - on gun purchases in Arizona.

According to the plea agreement, Dhalliwal then used his fake identification at Sprague’s Sports Inc. in Yuma, Arizona, on July 22, 2011, to purchase a Smith and Wesson .357-caliber revolver. On the required paperwork, Dhalliwal swore under penalty of perjury, and federal prosecution, that his primary residence was in Arizona. He then took the weapon to California.

Dhalliwal further admitted that the July 22nd transaction was one example of a much larger gun trafficking scheme. According to the plea agreement, Dhallliwal had similarly – and illegally – acquired at least fifty four firearms in Arizona. He illegally sold many of those firearms to other people in the Imperial Valley. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is committed to finding and pursuing anyone who violates our nation’s firearms laws. The illegal acquisition and sale of firearms will not be tolerated because it makes our community less safe—plain and simple.”

 

DEFENDANT Case Number 15cr2117-MMA
Scott Singh Dhalliwal, Age 61 Hometown: Holtville, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGE

Unlicensed Transportation of Firearms – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(a)(3)
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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Los Angeles Field Division